The Global Triathlon spotlight will shine on Bermuda in April when it hosts the ITU World Triathlon Bermuda, showcasing the island and proudly supporting two-time reigning World Champion, Bermudian Flora Duffy.
The Local Organizing Committee of the international sporting spectacle, revealed the race courses today for both the Elite and Age Group races within the event. Both races will take place on Saturday April 28th during the Bermuda Triathlon Festival Weekend (Thursday April 26th to Sunday April 29th).
Both courses start and end in Hamilton. Competitors will first swim in the waters of Hamilton Harbor, then bike through city streets and finish with the run along colorful Front Street. The central location offers great viewing for spectators, and several significant technical challenges for athletes.
One of the highlights of the bike courses will be hundreds of athletes pumping their way up Corkscrew Hill in a grueling steep effort.
Front Street will be the focus of all racing. Athletes will line up for a spectacular swim start at Number 1 car park, where free public grandstands and VIP seating will be positioned for a great viewing advantage. The Elite race will transition onto bikes and the run right in front of spectators on Front Street.
It is anticipated that hundreds of people will participate in the Age Group event, including locals doing a triathlon for the first time. Organizers welcome sportspeople of other disciplines to register and train for the April event, which does not require a qualifying time.
Not often can you do a first triathlon in a World Series event right at home!
Due to the large numbers of participants, the transition area to start the bike and run for the Age Group course is at City Hall car park.
Minister for Tourism and Economic Development, the Jamahl Simmons, expressed his thanks to the Local Organizing Committee for their collaborative work in helping all agencies agree on a course that is safe and practical, while showcasing some of Bermuda’s best scenery: “Bermuda is the second stop on the 2018 World Triathlon Series circuit and with Bermuda’s own Flora Duffy defending her World Championship title, Bermuda proudly supports our national sporting hero. We will offer our renowned hospitality to international visitors, and first-class television coverage, during the 2018 event. We will ensure that the event has a lasting positive impact for Bermuda.”
Steven Petty, President of the Bermuda Triathlon Association said: “The arrival of the World Triathlon Series in Bermuda represents a fantastic opportunity for the island and a chance to inspire many more people to take up this great sport, just as Flora Duffy was inspired watching triathlon races here as a young girl. We can’t wait to watch Flora race before her home crowd and we hope that the Bermuda public will embrace this event and make it a vibrant show that will be seen around the world.”
Flora Duffy said at today’s announcement that she’s looking forward to racing in Bermuda: “The course being along Front Street is very special for me. This is where I started, in the Front Street Mile at nine-years-old, and I was inspired to compete internationally. To be competing as the World Champion on home soil, is a feeling that’s hard to express.”
Flora has also called for residents who wish to volunteer during the Bermuda Triathlon Festival Weekend, to register their interest online from today: “The online registration is open at www.tribermuda.com/volunteer. I encourage anyone who is not racing to register as a volunteer now. These events take enormous effort to organize. As athletes, we can’t appreciate enough the support of those who give their time and become involved.”
